Football Discussion | Arsenal fans respond to Champions League final defeat

Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (PSG won 4-3 on penalties)

Heartbreak for Arsenal as they lose the Champions League final in Budapest.

Author | DJ

Stadium | Puskás Aréna

Gabriel blazed the decisive penalty over the bar as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League title, losing to PSG in a shootout as the French side retained the trophy for a second consecutive season.

Mikel Arteta's team had secured their first Premier League crown in 22 years last weekend, but fell short of completing a league and European double, suffering heartbreak in a tense finale.

The best reaction from Arsenal fans

Paul: So many people were saying PSG would sweep us aside. They didn't. We matched them throughout and, in the end, it came down to the cruel lottery of penalties. I'm incredibly proud of the lads. We'll come back stronger next year. COYG!

Tony: We've played so well for the majority of the season but I just felt we lacked something here. It wasn't a bad performance but you need something more if you want to get over the line at the very highest level. 

Matty: This season has been a blast. The disappointment of losing this final will make winning the Champions League even better when it comes. Hopefully next season. Maybe we can win the treble? 

Andrew: The players performed well and did us proud. There is no shame in losing to the reigning champions in a penalty shootout, especially when so few people gave us a chance.

Dave: It may be defeat in a Champions League final, but the season as a whole has been a success after winning the league. Some will say Arsenal bottled it but, in truth, PSG are an outstanding side. Penalties are never an easy way to settle a match. We move on, regroup over the summer and prepare for the challenges ahead next season. We will be back. Come on, you Gunners!

Lewis: The better team won. Congratulations to PSG. As an Arsenal fan, I was frustrated by our approach, sitting deep and repeatedly passing backwards and sideways. Just 25% possession and one shot on target tells its own story. The penalty misses were poor.

Terri: Gutted we lost but what an amazing experience to see Arsenal in a Champions League final.

Laura: It was a tremendous effort. I just feel we could have shown a little more ambition in extra time and gone for the win. Two poor penalties proved costly, but the margins were fine. We have had a great season. With some smart investment in the summer, we can go again. Proud of the team.

William: Arsenal defended brilliantly but perhaps lacked the touch of quality PSG possess in key moments. It feels especially harsh that Gabi was the one to miss, given he has been our rock at the back all season.

Louise: I remember when we were still competing on four fronts and my family asked which trophy I would choose if I could only have one. I said the Premier League. To finally get one over on Manchester City after they overtook us three seasons ago, to silence the talk of bottling it, and to stop hearing 'maybe next time' and actually do it. Of course I'm disappointed about the Champions League, but I'm still immensely proud that those players have Premier League winners' medals. They deserve even more success in the years ahead.

PSG are Champions of Europe again. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/2026/05/psg-...

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— European Super Football (@eurosuperfootball.bsky.social) 30 May 2026 at 20:49

Mark: There has been a lot of nonsense spoken about this game. Possession is not the same as control. PSG looked short of ideas and played with caution because Arsenal's counter-attacks created the better opportunities. If there is one criticism of Arsenal, it is that they lacked the conviction to really go for it when they looked the more complete side.